hello

[Ooooops]

The reason I started this is because if this girl is not right or is using me, and I continue to try and find another I would really like to go about it better if there is a next time.

Then you can start with offering her to do few Skype sessions without a translator and see how this will go.   If she starts yelling telling    you that no way, no how try to convince her that it's not because of money, tell her it's because you both should feel much more comfortable without third person present.      If no is the answer again then I'd put this girl on the bench for a while, switching to free Google email translators, and look elsewhere...  And at the same time send another email to that agency with question about their prices before you use them again to find another candidate for courting.

[johnnatebret]

Just to be clear, I am not balking at 300 a month. I have stated that I knew this would be expensive. I am concerned about some of the things that seem strange to me. The reason I don't use them to just jump to conclusions is because I also realize I am dealing with someone who has a different view of the world than I do and has different customs and habits. I don't want to throw something away because I didn't open up my perception of reality to the reality of  someone else. I think these are as big of barriers to hurdle as the language.

[Ooooops]

... I also realize I am dealing with someone who has a different view of the world than I do and has different customs and habits...

I think it is a pretty bad custom and habit to grossly overpay for services with somebody else's money unless she's just using you as sugar daddy and you are fine with such role (some men are).   So either your lady is in the dark about the agency prices or she doesn't care.   

[lonedrake]

Then you can start with offering her to do few Skype sessions without a translator and see how this will go.   If she starts yelling telling    you that no way, no how try to convince her that it's not because of money, tell her it's because you both should feel much more comfortable without third person present.   

This is a great plan......however if the translator is doing the scam....they are lying to her also. They could be telling her you prefer e-mail and only want to skype once a month.

There are three options of who is scamming you. The agency/translator,her or both. Unless you get direct communication with her.....

[LAman]

Heaven forbid this girl living in Odessa......because the blame can be put on the city!!!
Question John. When you met this girl a few times, did you ever ask for her email address or phone number?
It is the only way to get a straight answer from the girl without a translator or agency interfering and you can arrange your own translator for phone calls /emails. Many agencies only charge $50 a month(1 girl) for unlimited emails or less if you buy several months. I don't know if its too late for any of this.

[cc3]

The reason I don't use them to just jump to conclusions is because I also realize I am dealing with someone who has a different view of the world than I do and has different customs and habits. I don't want to throw something away because I didn't open up my perception of reality to the reality of  someone else. I think these are as big of barriers to hurdle as the language.

Welcome to RWD john! I have read your entire introductory thread along with member replies. I sense your intensity and good intentions, but you are embarking on this  adventure with an erroneous mindset. You are throwing money (300/month) at a problem that you should have totally avoided in the first place...that is, at your neophyte stage, trying to establish a relationship with a woman 5000 miles away who doesn't even speak your language. There are millions of women in the FSU and former satellite nations of central/eastern Europe who speak very passable English. As shy and introverted as you describe yourself, you should be limiting yourself to English speakers so that you can get past that shyness through mutually understandable communication, NOT through an interpreter. If this woman had true regard for you, she would not want you to spend $300/month on communications, That's the average monthly salary for a Ukrainian woman! By the way, my Ukrainian fiancee is a private English tutor and charges the parents of the high school kids, whom she tutors, the equivalent of $5 to $6 per hour. And she is at a higher level than most English tutors, because she studies the language at university and communicates with a native speaker (me) every day. So...$6/hour at $300/month would pay for 50 hours of instruction per month.

Continue your search; find someone with whom you can personally communicate; build a virtual relationship that leads to the desire to meet and begin an actual relationship. It is totally worth it. I have gone down the road of trying to establish a connection with women who had good hearts but very little English. It's not worth it...and I don't have any shyness or hesitancy to meet anyone. I just would like to connect heart-to-heart with my chosen one without interpreters, computer translators, or waiting years for her English or my Russian lessons to take effect.

[johnnatebret]

more great opinions and suggestions. $50 a month unlimited emails sounds great. About finding someone who knows English...if this doesn't work out I have already decided that is the path i need to go. Until I am positive about my current situation, what can I say, I may be shy but I love a challenge. I also am picking up the language pretty quickly. The more I study it and bury myself in it the easier it gets. I even have started to find myself thinking in Russian when people are talking to me. So at least I am expanding my mind and having some fun with it if nothing else.

[cc3]

more great opinions and suggestions. $50 a month unlimited emails sounds great. About finding someone who knows English...if this doesn't work out I have already decided that is the path i need to go. Until I am positive about my current situation, what can I say, I may be shy but I love a challenge. I also am picking up the language pretty quickly. The more I study it and bury myself in it the easier it gets. I even have started to find myself thinking in Russian when people are talking to me. So at least I am expanding my mind and having some fun with it if nothing else.

+100...if you are really enjoying studying her language and you are picking it up rapidly, way to go!!

[Shadow]

Just to be clear, I am not balking at 300 a month. I have stated that I knew this would be expensive. I am concerned about some of the things that seem strange to me. The reason I don't use them to just jump to conclusions is because I also realize I am dealing with someone who has a different view of the world than I do and has different customs and habits. I don't want to throw something away because I didn't open up my perception of reality to the reality of  someone else. I think these are as big of barriers to hurdle as the language.

A biatch is a biatch anywhere in the world.